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Simple and complex carotid paragangliomas. Three decades of experience and literature review
Author(s) -
Lozano Francisco S.,
Muñoz Angel,
las Heras José A.,
GonzálezPorras José R.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.26421
Subject(s) - medicine , paraganglioma , surgery
Background Carotid paragangliomas are rare tumors. They are usually unique, non‐secreting, resectable, and benign. However, additional rare cases of complex tumors (bilateral, secretory, nonresectable, or malignant) complicate the management and final outcomes. Methods Records of paragangliomas from our hospital are reviewed. Criteria defining complex paragangliomas have been previously defined. These are compared with those of the simple group. Results Fifty patients, two groups: simple (n = 39) and complex (n = 11). The patients in the complex group were significantly younger (47.7 vs 63.8 years). Postoperative nerve complications (45.4% vs 6.3%) and mortality during follow‐up (27.3% vs 0%) were significantly more common in the complex group. Vascular complications (0% vs 3.1%) and early mortality (0%) were similarly in both groups. Conclusions Patients with complex carotid paragangliomas are heterogeneous. The former are younger, exhibit a high degree of diagnostic and therapeutic complexity, and have poorer morbidity and mortality. Surgical experience and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential.